Impact of International Human Resource Management on Performance and Productivity in UK Retail Sector

This dissertation proposal aims to identify the impact of international human resource management on the performance and productivity of an organization in the UK retail sector. The research will focus on Next Plc, the largest clothing retailer in the UK. The proposal includes a problem statement, rationale, research aims and objectives, research questions, literature review, and research methodology.

Dissertation Proposal

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Background of the study.............................................................................................................3
Problem Statement......................................................................................................................3
Rationale of the research.............................................................................................................3
Research Aims and Objectives....................................................................................................3
Research Questions.....................................................................................................................4
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................4
The concept of international human resource management in context of UK retail sector........4
Effects of international human resource management practices on performance and
productivity.................................................................................................................................4
What are the challenges faced by Next Plc due to poor international human resource
management................................................................................................................................5
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8
Books and Journals:....................................................................................................................8

Research Topic: “To identify the impact of international human resource management
on the performance and productivity of an organisation with the UK retail sector”
Introduction
Background of the study
International human resource management defines as a set of activities considering
management of human resource at the international level. It attempts to fulfil the business goals
and aims and attain competitive benefits over competitors at domestic along with global level
(Lakshan, Low and de Villiers, 2021).
The research will be based on Next Plc which is a British global company in clothing
line, covering different types of home and footwear products. It is headquartered in Enderby,
England. It is known as the largest clothing retailer in UK.
Problem Statement
Many issues and problems have been faced by the company as they deal their business
activities at global level. Some of the big issues in hiring international staff are language and
cultural problems, international human connection, accidentality break local laws and so on.
Rationale of the research
The motivation of current research is based on dual perspectives- individual and
professional. Individually, this research supports in the development of various skills such as
listening, time-management, communication and so on. On the other hand, professionally this
research would help in acquiring knowledge about international human management.
Research Aims and Objectives
Research aim:
To identify the impact of international human resource management on the performance
and productivity of an organisation with the UK retail sector. A study on Next Plc
Research objectives:
 To study the concept of international human resource management in context of UK
retail sector
 To examine the effect of international human resource management practices on the
performance and productivity of Next Plc

 To determine the challenges faced by Next Plc due to poor international human resource
management
Research Questions
 What is the concept of international human resource management in context of UK retail
sector?
 What is the effect of international human resource management practices on the
performance and productivity of Next Plc?
 What are the challenges faced by Next Plc due to poor international human resource
management?
Literature Review
It is that section in the research that discussed about the previous data on the chosen
topic. This is that part in the research methodology through which past data is being gathered so
that detail understanding about the topic can be made.
The concept of international human resource management in context of UK retail sector
According to the view of Rogovsky and Cooke (2021) international human resource
management refers as the collection of different activities that target the human resource
management at the international level. It helps a company to manage its objectives without
sacrificing its competitive edge in an international scenario. It bears both strategic and functional
resemblance to the human resource management (Rogovsky and Cooke, 2021). It can also be
considered as process of allocating, acquiring and utilising the human resources within a global
business in order to achieve the stated objectives. International HRM is combination of three
dimensions which name as HR activities, type of employees as well as operations countries.
Effects of international human resource management practices on performance and productivity
As per the view of Cherif (2020), human resource management effects the performance
and productivity of the company in direct manner. With the use of effective human resource
practices company can increase their performance and productivity in large manner. The
foremost impact of human resource practices is it enhanced the company performance which
helps them to gain competitive edge (Cherif, 2020). Second impact is on the productivity as
when company adopt right measures and rules it helps to improve the productivity level of the
company in large manner (Aziz and et. al, 2021). It is very vital for the company to use right

human resource practices within their business as it helps them to create a good brand image in
the market (Li, Ghosh and Nachmias, 2020).
What are the challenges faced by Next Plc due to poor international human resource
management
As per the view of Costello and Oliver (2018), there are several challenges that Next Plc
faces because of poor human resource management that results in decreasing the overall
profitability and productivity of the company. Inefficient hiring process is the major challenge
that company face due to improper human staff and this results in reducing the performance level
of the business. High employee turnover is also a challenge for the company because of no
flexibility and offers provided by the company employers (Lakshan, Low and de Villiers, 2021).
Low motivation among employees results in decreasing their overall working efficient and
effectiveness to achieve the set goals and objectives of the business.
Research Methodology
Research Philosophy-
It can be positivism and interpretivism research philosophy. The interpretivism
philosophy will be exploited by the research person as it supports qualitative research. It helps in
getting the information with small samples and considering human interests into study.
Research Approach-
It can be inductive and deductive in nature. In this research, inductive approach will be
used by the researcher because it is connected to the emergence of generalizations and fresh
ideas (Azizi, and et. al, 2021).
Research strategy-
The current research would be completed by using systematic literature review as their
strategy in which themes will be created for the analysis.
Choices of methods-
From mono, mixed and multi methods of research, the mono method would be used by
the researcher. Qualitative research will be conducted for the current project.
Data collection-

Primary and secondary are two forms of data collection method. The following research
will be based on secondary research in which qualitative information would be taken by the
researcher.
Data analysis-
To analyse data in theoretical way, thematic analysis will be used by the researcher (Li,
Ghosh and Nachmias, 2020).
Ethical considerations-
The researcher will focus on the protection of personal data of respondents by
considering Data Protection Act. Also, there will be free consent of respondents to cover
research aims and objectives. In addition, no harm will be given to the emotions and sentiments
of human (Costello and Oliver, 2018).
Gantt Chart-

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Rogovsky, N. and Cooke, F.L., 2021. Towards a human-centred agenda: Human resource
management in BRICS countries in times of global challenges.
Cherif, F., 2020. The role of human resource management practices and employee job
satisfaction in predicting organizational commitment in Saudi Arabian banking
sector. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 40(7/8), pp.529-541.
Azizi, M.R., and et. al, 2021. Innovative human resource management strategies during the
COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic narrative review approach. Heliyon, 7(6), p.e07233.
Li, J., Ghosh, R. and Nachmias, S., 2020. In a time of COVID-19 pandemic, stay healthy,
connected, productive, and learning: words from the editorial team of HRDI. Human
Resource Development International, 23(3), pp.199-207.
Costello, J. and Oliver, J., 2018. Human resource management in the media. In Handbook of
media management and economics (pp. 95-110). Routledge.
Lakshan, A.M.I., Low, M. and de Villiers, C., 2021. Challenges of, and techniques for,
materiality determination of non-financial information used by integrated report
preparers. Meditari Accountancy Research.